#cyberchats by National Cryptologic Foundation (NCF)

This festive #CyberChats episode explores the most popular tech gifts of the 2025 holiday season and the security surprises that may come with them. From smart speakers and wearables to trackers, VR headsets, and kid-friendly gadgets, we look at how these devices collect data and where privacy risks can sneak in. Join us for practical, easy tips to help you give and receive the latest tech with confidence, and keep your home merry, bright, and secure all season long.

In this episode we are teaming up with our favorite Cyber Security expert, James Walsh, for a crossover episode with Cyber Pulse where we discuss the pros and cons of family tracking apps like Life360. We talk about privacy issues, potential misuse by stalkers, effects on child development, the possible resulting trust issues with family and loved ones, and the effect on battery performance. Our goal is to give you the facts so you can decide if a family tracking app is right for you.

In this episode of #CyberChats, we’re joined by Armora Rama, founder of the ThinkCyber Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to making cybersecurity accessible, inclusive, and impactful for everyone.

In this episode of #CyberChats, we sit down with Jay Patel, a high school senior whose passion for cybersecurity has already taken him into the professional tech world. Jay recently completed an internship at the Technology Advancement Center, where he gained hands-on experience learning how hardware and software work together – and how vulnerabilities in those systems can be exploited.

In this episode of #CyberChats, we dive into the world of cyber competitions with Frederick Hall – Cyber Education Leader for Texas District 23 and CyberPatriot coach for both the Medina Valley High School AFJROTC and the Hondo Cyber Owls – alongside Jessica Counselman, Team Captain of the Hondo Cyber Owls.

It’s back-to-school season, and #CyberChats is kicking things off with a special guest: 2025 MCTA CTE Teacher of the Year, Robin Burns! From making cybersecurity feel like a puzzle instead of a textbook, to supporting students in the fast-paced Cyber Feud competition, she’s teaching the next generation how to think differently – like strategists, problem-solvers, and even opponents.

What happens when schools are targeted by a cyberattack? In this episode of #CyberChats, we dive into the nationwide hack of PowerSchool, which impacted 60 million students and 10 million educators.

Welcome to Cyber Pulse episode 13!

In this episode, we talk with cybersecurity students and recent grads from the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) about their paths into cyber, balancing work and school, and how hands-on learning—like competitions, virtual labs, and real-world projects—is shaping their careers.

What happens when your DNA gets hacked? In this episode of #CyberChats, we dive into the 2023 cyberattack on 23andMe — one of the biggest genetic data breaches ever.

In this episode of #CyberChats, we sit down with Greg Sisson, COO of CI-Discern and former CISO for the U.S. Department of Energy, for an engaging conversation on navigating a cybersecurity career across government and industry.

Over 1 million Android devices—from smart TVs to phones—have been silently hijacked by a powerful malware network called BadBox. In this episode of #CyberChats, Kennedy and James break down what happened, how cybercriminals are using infected devices to make money and hide online, and why the FBI is sounding the alarm.

Welcome to the #CyberChats Summer Series! In this episode, #CyberChats host Kennedy (Taylor) Tibbetts and Cyber Pulse host James Walsh team up to kick off our Summer Series! Each month, we’ll dive into a major cyber incident, breaking down what happened, how it happened, and the lessons learned. Tune in to meet your hosts, learn about the series, and get ready for some deep dives into real-world cyber stories!

We're on break for a few more weeks - check back on June 19th for our first episode of the summer! For now, listen to this conversation we had last fall with Tina Williams-Koroma, Serial Entrepreneur and Founder/CEO of TCecure and CyDeploy!

We're on break! We'll be back on June 19th for our first episode of the summer, so until then, take a listen to this conversation we had with Dr. Anmol Agarwal, which is still relevant today.

In this episode of #CyberChats, we’re joined by Tennisha Martin, Founder and Executive Director of BlackGirlsHack, a nonprofit that's opening pathways into cybersecurity for Black women and girls across the country. With a background in electrical and computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon and over 15 years of experience in government consulting, Tennisha brings both technical expertise and a deep commitment to equity in tech.

Coming to you LIVE from Cyber Saturday! In this episode of #CyberChats, we dive into the world of youth-driven cybersecurity education. Casey Nazelrod and Emmett Omron, two standout high school students from Loyola Blakefield, share their impressive journeys into the field of cyber and the valuable experiences they’ve gained along the way. Joining the conversation is Alexis Davis, COO of the Technology Advancement Center, who discusses the organization’s dedication to empowering young people through cyber education. Together, they highlight how programs like Cyber Saturday are shaping the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on how today’s youth are driving the future of cybersecurity!

Cybersecurity isn’t just about firewalls and passwords — it’s about people, communication, and trust. In this episode of #CyberChats, we sit down with an expert who has spent years helping executives, organizations, and everyday individuals understand cybersecurity in a way that actually makes sense. From breaking down complex threats for non-technical audiences to helping parents navigate online safety for their kids, this conversation goes beyond the technical to explore the human side of cybersecurity.

We’re celebrating a major milestone in Episode 50 of #CyberChats with an inspiring conversation featuring Ethan Zhang, a high school senior and cybersecurity trailblazer from Portland, Oregon. As the Co-founder and President of Youth Cyber Defender, Ethan is transforming how students across the country learn and engage with cybersecurity. From leading over 30 training sessions to securing small businesses’ digital infrastructure, Ethan is shaping the future of cyber defense one student at a time.

In honor of Women's History Month, we highlight the groundbreaking work of three influential women in cybersecurity.

In this special Black History Month episode, we honor the Black pioneers who shaped cybersecurity and cryptology. From Carroll Robinson, NSA’s first Black engineer, to Debora Plunkett, a modern cybersecurity leader, these trailblazers broke barriers, safeguarded national security, and paved the way for future generations.

Coming to you LIVE from Cyber Saturday! In this episode of #CyberChats, we dive into the world of youth-driven cybersecurity education. Casey Nazelrod and Emmett Omron, two standout high school students from Loyola Blakefield, share their impressive journeys into the field of cyber and the valuable experiences they’ve gained along the way. Joining the conversation is Alexis Davis, COO of the Technology Advancement Center, who discusses the organization’s dedication to empowering young people through cyber education. Together, they highlight how programs like Cyber Saturday are shaping the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on how today’s youth are driving the future of cybersecurity!

In this episode, we’re joined by Roselle Safran, the dynamic CEO of KeyCaliber. With a wealth of experience spanning both government and entrepreneurship, Roselle dives into the lessons she’s learned throughout her impressive career in cybersecurity. From her time at the Executive Office of the President during the Obama Administration, to her role at the Department of Homeland Security’s US-CERT, and later founding Uplevel Security, Roselle’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Tune in to hear how these pivotal experiences shaped her path to creating KeyCaliber and learn valuable insights from her diverse career!

As the second half of the school year kicks off, are you starting to think about summer jobs and internships? Or next steps post-graduation? Or maybe you want to get clarity on your direction in cyber overall. If any of these sound like you, you won’t want to miss this episode!

Happy New Year, cyber fans! Today's mini episode features an exciting opportunity for high school teachers nationwide from The National Cybersecurity Teaching Academy! Listen as Melissa Dark, founder of Dark Industries and Teach Cyber leader, tells us all!

This episode features Calvin Nobles, Portfolio Vice President and Dean of the School of Cybersecurity and Information Technology at the University of Maryland Global Campus. With an extraordinary background encompassing 25 years in the U.S. Navy and deep expertise in cybersecurity, we are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Nobles on our Board of Directors!

This holiday season, we’re bringing you something truly special—a first-ever crossover episode between #CyberChats and Cyber Pulse! Together, NCF podcast hosts Kennedy Taylor and James Walsh have combined forces to deliver the ultimate guide to staying safe while shopping this holiday season.

Here comes the queen! Our next episode features Himanvi Panidepu, Miss Virginia USA and Cybersecurity Consultant for EY.

This is a special one for fans of Cyber Saturday and Hack the Rail! Our next episode features Gregg Smith, CEO of the Technology Advancement Center (TAC), a cybersecurity nonprofit fueling the people and technology needed to solve critical cybersecurity challenges. Prior to TAC, Gregg served as a successful CEO of Attila Security, Archon Secure, Silent Circle, Koolspan, Optio Labs, AND Acuity Mobile, earning over 25 years of technology and executive business leadership experience.

Could Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) be both a help and a major hindrance? We asked Dr. Anmol Agarwal, AI/ML Security Researcher, what she thinks!

Calling future journalists! Our next episode features Steve Morgan, Founder of Cybersecurity Ventures, Editor-in-Chief at Cybercrime Magazine, and Executive Producer at Cybercrime.Radio!

Episode 37 features Tina Williams-Koroma, Serial Entrepreneur and Founder/CEO of TCecure and CyDeploy!

We are ecstatic to welcome Kennedy Taylor to the National Cyptologic Foundation (NCF) family! You may remember Kennedy from Season 2, where she shared her journey to cyber and the title of Miss Maryland with former host, Jennifer Langdon! Listen to learn more about Kennedy and what you can expect on the #CyberChats Podcast!

Welcome to a very special episode of CyberChats! In this episode, we're bringing you a talk between the National Cryptologic Foundation's (NCF) President & CEO Laura Nelson, and the NCF Chairman of the Board, George Barnes.

Hope you're having a great summer, cyberheads! In this episode of the #CyberChats special edition summer series, we use our adversarial thinking to help find and diagnose a brute force attack.

Happy summer, Cyberheads! In this episode of the #CyberChats special edition summer series, we explore why thinking like a bad actor can help you be a better defender.

Keep those fans on MAX, cyberheads! In this episode of the #CyberChats special edition summer series, we continue to build on our theme of system security.

The heat is on, Cyberheads! In this episode of the #CyberChats special edition summer series, we explore how to improve your system security.

Happy summer, cyberheads! Like many of you, our guests are on break and out of office, so we have some special edition episodes just for the summer. Don't worry, guests will be back to chat with us in the fall. But until then, join us on #CyberChats as we stay cool in the summer heat and dive into the freshest topics in cyber.

Happy summer, cyberheads! Like many of you, our guests are on break and out of office, so we have some special edition episodes just for the summer. Don't worry, guests will be back to chat with us in the fall. But until then, join us on #CyberChats as we stay cool in the summer heat and dive into the freshest topics in cyber.

In this throwback episode from Season 1, we hear from two incredible women in cyber to help us explore our risk appetite.

We don't play around in cybersecurity, but we definitely game! In this episode, our guests detail the role that games and game strategy play in teaching us how to think like an adversary and keep safe online.

In this bonus episode, we talk about Cyber Saturday - a day of cyber exploration for rising 5th-10th grade students with workshops covering cybersecurity, data protection, and online safety. Cyber Saturday is Saturday May 4th, from 9am to 2pm, at TAC in Columbia, Maryland.

Alethe Dennis, mistress of social engineering, talks about what social engineering is, how it can improve overall security for a company, and her path to becoming a professional social engineer and DefCon Black Badge holder. She also discusses what to teach your kids about not getting engineered, how to ethically learn and practice your skills, and gives some reading recommendations.

Imagine working hard, finally starting a job, and hating it all while being cyberstalked. Would you know what to do? Our guest this episode shares how to approach these challenges so you can get the best outcome but also keep moving forward in a new career.

Get to know a little more about our new host, James, with this round of Fast Five questions!

DEF CON is one of the biggest cyber conferences of the year, and this year's DEF CON 32 will feature a new initiative called DCNextGen -- a track for kids and teens of all skill levels, from complete beginner to practitioners. There will be CTFs (Capture the Flag events), badges you can solder and program, workshops on technical skills, and even the opportunity to present a talk. In this episode, we talk with the host of DCNextGen herself, BiaSciLab. Listen in as she shares how she got to where she is today and how DEF CON has played a role.

Cyber crime can seem like something that only the most technically advanced people could pull off. But with last year's MGM hack, attackers basically had the door held open for them as they logged in with valid credentials they engineered someone to give them, stole company data and demanded payment. In this episode, we’ll learn how to protect ourselves and our information by learning how humans are vulnerable tech. You won’t want to miss this.

Being a leader in cyber often denotes valuable insights gained from a long career. Today's guest is not only a highly regarded leader in cyber but is also NCF's very own CEO, Laura Nelson. Learn how Laura's career has shaped her views on the importance of data privacy, what she's most excited about at the NCF, and how mentorship has played a vital role getting her to where she is today.

Curious about cryptography and why it’s linked to cybersecurity? How can something like math help us fight the bad guys? On this episode, our highly esteemed guest will bring her experience in research, cryptography, and law in order to explain how cryptography can be used to solve some of the world’s biggest problems.

Closing the workforce gap is a huge challenge within the cybersecurity industry, and the demand for professionals continues to grow worldwide. How can we address the barriers to solving this issue? This week's guest has long partnered with NCF to be a part of the solution and has helped to identify the roots of the problem so that others can gain an understanding of the broader issue at hand.

Closing the workforce gap is a huge challenge within the cybersecurity industry, and the demand for professionals continues to grow worldwide. How can we address the barriers to solving this issue? This week's guest has long partnered with NCF to be a part of the solution and has helped to identify the roots of the problem so that others can gain an understanding of the broader issue at hand.

Happy new year! To start off 2024, we are resolving to think more critically about all of the info we share online before we share it! To do that, we're re-listening to our first ever #CyberChats Podcast episode with Dr. Eliot Jardines. We'll see you back in a couple of weeks with new episodes and new challenges. In the meantime, let us know -- how are you resolving to stay safe online in 2024?

In this special episode of the #CyberChats podcast, we’re celebrating the halfway point of Season 2 by featuring our guests from throughout the season. Get ready to hear all of their tips for being cyber smart in a collection of this season’s Fast Five responses. 

Cybersecurity is a team sport and one of our values as an organization is to help elevate those who are working with us to spread awareness about data care and cyber careers. We also want to provide you with reliable resources if you are looking to help in our mission to educate others about taking care of their data. This episode highlights some of our invaluable partners: MetaCTF (our challenge sponsor for the first part of this season), Start Engineering, and UMGC.

The start of the winter season means quality time with friends, family, and loved ones, which means it's the perfect time to talk to the people we care for about staying safe online.

Imagine working hard, finally starting a job, and hating it all while being cyberstalked. Would you know what to do? Our guest this episode shares how to approach these challenges so you can get the best outcome but also keep moving forward in a new career.

Our teenage guest will talk about a very well known competition called CyberPatriot. Because the team he helped build has yielded such great success in competition, he’s passionate about giving back and helping others find a space in the cyber community. You’ll enjoy hearing about the content of his blog post concerning CyberPatriot, and we’ll go over inside tips on how to make and maintain ANY high performing team.

Happy Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Cyber crime can seem like something that only the most technically advanced people could pull off. But with the recent MGM hack, attackers basically had the door held open for them as they logged in with valid credentials they engineered someone to give them, stole company data and demanded payment. In this episode, we’ll learn how to protect ourselves and our information by learning how humans are vulnerable tech. You won’t want to miss this.

Getting more cyber ed opportunities in the K12 space is a difficult problem to troubleshoot. In this episode, we’ll show how solutions can come from the students themselves! Take note from our enthusiastic and motivated teen guest as they share how they navigated creating and managing a school cyber club and got jobs in tech before college.

A new school year is upon us, and many of our routines are changing to adapt. But what are you doing to take better care of your data this school year? Do you know what information you're sharing? If you don't know much about your data, and want to be empowered so you can know what steps to take, this is the place to start!

Welcome back to Season 2 of #CyberChats! We have lots in store for this season. To start off, we have a quick introduction to your host and some info and updates about our show. Then, a sneak peek at some of this season's guests!

Highlights and outtakes from season 1!

Get ready to bid farewell to season1 which was packed with cyber knowledge. We couldn’t have done it without our amazing listeners and challenge participants and now it’s time to honor you all for making this journey unforgettable!

We’ve saved the best for last! In our final episode of the season, we’re bringing you an extra-special guest- a high schooler who’s taking the world by storm. This tech-savvy teen has developed a secure voting system and started a non-profit with a mission to get more girls access to cybersecurity as a career.

Our values as a society define who we are and what positions we take when faced with ethical questions. Having access to sensitive information on a network puts you in a place where you must behave with moral responsibility. Being able to help shape the fabric of the internet can have you facing questions like “What are the implications for citizens, not just in my country but around the world, by these decisions?”

We don't play around in cybersecurity, but we definitely game! In this episode, our guests detail the role that games and game strategy play in teaching us how to think like an adversary and keep safe online.

It’s Women’s History month and we’re excited to not only focus on women and girls in cybersecurity but also some aspects of risk management.

How is it possible to understand the ‘dark arts’ of how hackers take your information or to practice essential cyber skills? Cyber ranges! As well as some clever Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges of course!

Have you ever stopped to think about all the information you share online? From your likes and dislikes to your location and even your personal conversations, your personal data is not only collected by companies every day but, thanks to new technologies, is also made available to individuals and groups around the world. So what happens with all of that seemingly harmless information when the wrong person has access to it?

#CyberChats with the National Cryptologic Foundation